12 Exact Moments WWE Titles Became Worthless

Nikki Bella wore the expression of somebody who knew the title dangling from her shoulder had just become rudderless on the 13 July 2015 episode of WWE flagship show Raw. Stephanie McMahon called for a "revolution" in the women's division that night, and she introduced NXT stars like Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks to a wider audience.

Her promo pretty much nullified the Divas branding and meant the Divas Title Bella carried around had to go. It limped on until WrestleMania 32's fab three way pitting Charlotte vs. Becky vs. Sasha, but the belt's name was mud as soon as a women's revolution became WWE's latest crusade. Few were upset to see the Divas tag go though.

That reality TV-meets-sex appeal name was never going to fly in a world of serious female wrestling. If WWE wanted instant credibility, which they did, then they knew they had to stop referring to the women as Divas ASAP. They could still be "smart, sexy and powerful", but the eye candy aspects had to be downplayed whilst the pure quality of matches went the other way and became a priority.

That July 2015 edition of Raw slashed through the Diva premise like a hot knife through butter. Fan perceptions began to change overnight, a social media campaign gathered pace, then WWE brought back a Women's Championship in time for 'Mania. The toy-like Divas belt and all the cutesy branding surrounding it was wiped away in favour of tradition and an emphasis on better matches inside the ring.

It was a welcome change, and a necessary one considering the skills of emerging talent.